Q: I started my business so that I could have the freedom to set my own hours and enjoy my life and now I'm so busy that all I do is work. How can I create time in my life for more fun, without my business suffering?

A: As an entrepreneur it is easy to get so absorbed in your business that you fall into the trap of working long hours and thinking about work day and night. To leverage your business and get more results with less time, begin by implementing these three steps:

- Take time to get clear on what your ideal lifestyle looks like. How many hours do you want to work in a week? How often do you want to take vacations? At what time of the day is your office door shut and computer off? Set boundaries on your work hours and stick to it.

- Automate. Anything you do more than twice in your business is fertile ground for setting up an automated system. It could be things you do every day (processing email; responding to leads), or weekly (blog entries, newsletters), monthly (payroll; enrolling new clients) or annually (hiring, reviewing performance). Automating a business can take time to put into place, but will save you a lot of time down the line.

- Delegate. The typical sole proprietor who doesn't delegate is his/her own manager, marketer, sales person, PR specialist, product or services developer, fundraiser, bookkeeper, human resources department, receptionist, secretary, etc. To wear all these hats and have life balance is next to impossible. Make a list of all the things you do that drain your energy, cause you frustration and are not directly related to servicing your customers and building your business and come up with a plan to get them off your to-do list.

You can be an entrepreneur with a rich and fulfilling personal life. Having one does not negate the other, but it does require a commitment to running your business differently.

Teresia LaRocque is a Master Certified Business and Life Coach and cofounder of the Vancouver International Coach Federation. Visit www.teresia.com or email info@teresia.com

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Almost Done!

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.

Postmedia wants to improve your reading experience as well as share the best deals and promotions from our advertisers with you. The information below will be used to optimize the content and make ads across the network more relevant to you. You can always change the information you share with us by editing your profile.

By clicking "Create Account", I hearby grant permission to Postmedia to use my account information to create my account.

I also accept and agree to be bound by Postmedia's Terms and Conditions with respect to my use of the Site and I have read and understand Postmedia's Privacy Statement. I consent to the collection, use, maintenance, and disclosure of my information in accordance with the Postmedia's Privacy Policy.